News In Focus

Chalmers appointed to Glasgow Regius Chair

Professor James Chalmers has been appointed to the Regius Chair of Law in the University of Glasgow.

A Royal Warrant approving the appointment has signed by the Queen and First Minister Alex Salmond. Recent holders of the chair are Professor Joe Thomson and Professor David Walker.

A graduate of the University of Aberdeen and the Tulane University of Louisiana, Professor Chalmers first taught at the University of Aberdeen and was latterly senior lecturer in law at the University of Edinburgh. He researches primarily in the area of criminal law, and is the author or co-author of a number of texts including The New Law of Sexual Offences in Scotland, Legal Responses to HIV and AIDS, and Criminal Defences and Pleas in Bar of Trial (with Fiona Leverick).

He is also editor of the Edinburgh Law Review, a member of the Criminal Courts Rules Council and the Criminal Law Committee of the Law Society of Scotland, and a trustee of HIV Scotland, Scotland's national HIV policy charity.

Professor Chalmers said: "I am honoured to have been appointed to this chair, particularly given the tercentenary of its founding next year, and hope that I can live up to the standard set by its distinguished former holders."

Anton Muscatelli, principal and vice chancellor of the university, commented: "The University of Glasgow is delighted to welcome Professor Chalmers to the University of Glasgow and the Regius Chair of Law.

"I have no doubt that his considerable gifts and abilities will more than enhance the reputation of this prestigious chair and that he will make an exceptional contribution to the School of Law."